Returning to UC San Diego
after Gap Quarter(s)

Some students may be eligible for SEVIS reactivation. If your SEVIS record is reactivated by SEVP, then the I-20 would keep the same SEVIS ID number and the same SEVIS record, and you would maintain continuous F-1 status.

Eligibility for Reactivation:

You may be eligible for the reactivation of your SEVIS record if you meet ALL of the following criteria:

1. Your reported leave from the U.S. is LESS than 5 months.
   • The 5 months are calculated starting from the quarter start date of your gap term and ending on the quarter start date of your return term.
   • Your leave term is the academic quarter which you are not enrolled in at UC San Diego.
   • If you are taking multiple gap quarters or if your leave is longer than 5 months, then your SEVIS record is not eligible for reactivation.
2. You have not been academically disqualified or suspended.
   • If you have been academically disqualified or suspended, you need to request a new Initial I-20 from ISEO before returning to UC San Diego.
3. You have reported your Gap Quarter to ISEO before the quarter start date of your gap term.
   • Your SEVIS record must be terminated by ISEO due to an authorized early withdrawal.
4. You departed the U.S. before the quarter start date of your gap term.
   • You have not entered the U.S. during your leave in another visa status (such as B-2 visitor or ESTA).
5. You will return to the U.S. to resume your studies.
   • You will resume your studies at the next available quarter after returning to the U.S., which includes the UC San Diego Summer Session.

Possible Reasons for Reactivation Denial:

• Your reported leave is more than 5 months.
• You submitted your iPortal request after the quarter start date of the leave term.
• You departed the U.S. after the quarter start date of the leave term.
• You have been academically disqualified or suspended.

If you are NOT Eligible:

If you are not eligible for Reactivation, you must request a new Initial I-20 on iPortal. Please follow the instructions for "Returning with a New Initial I-20" on this page.

Examples of Reactivation Timelines:

Submit a "SEVIS Reactivation Request for Returning from Leave of Absence Less Than 5 Months" in iPortal. You can submit this request up to 60 days before the start date of your intended quarter of return.

• Upload a PDF copy of your airline ticket or flight itinerary showing the date of your planned return to the U.S.
• ISEO will then submit the SEVP Data Fix request to SEVIS (the U.S. government), and they will either approve or deny the request.
  • If you do not submit a timely request, you are at risk of delaying the SEVP Data Fix. Without an approved SEVP Data Fix to change your SEVIS Record from Terminated to Active, you will not be permitted back into the U.S.
• The processing time is 10 business days.
  • The actual processing time for the SEVP Data Fix is up to SEVIS, not our office.
• You will be notified via email when your SEVIS record is changed to Active.
• Print and sign the I-20, and keep a copy for your own records.

After your SEVIS record is reactivated, you may return to the U.S. using your most recent I-20.

Summer Session return: If you requested reactivation based on your return to the U.S. in the Summer, you are required to enroll in UC San Diego Summer Session classes.

If your reactivation request is denied by SEVP,  then you need to request a New Initial I-20 in iPortal by following the directions below.

Upon re-entry into the U.S., you must complete the document self-check to verify that your immigration documents were processed correctly at the port of entry.